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2.6 Properties of Equality

and Congruence
Goal Reflexive Property Symmetric Property
Use properties of equality
and congruence.

Key Words
• Reflexive Property
• Symmetric Property
• Transitive Property Jean is the same Jean is the same Pedro is the same
If then
height as Jean. height as Pedro, height as Jean.

Transitive Property

Jean is the same Pedro is the same Jean is the same

If and then
height as Pedro height as Chris, height as Chris.

The photos above illustrate the Reflexive, Symmetric, and Transitive

Properties of Equality. You can use these properties in geometry with
statements about equality and congruence.

Student Help
PROPERTIES OF EQUALITY AND CONGRUENCE
LOOK BACK
To review the difference Reflexive Property
between equality and
congruence, see p. 30. Equality AB 5 AB Congruence &* c AB
AB &*
maA 5 maA aA c aA

Symmetric Property
Equality Congruence
If AB 5 CD, then CD 5 AB. &* c CD
If AB &*, then CD
&* c AB
&*.
If maA 5 maB, then maB 5 maA. If aA c aB, then aB c aA.

Transitive Property
Equality Congruence
If AB 5 CD and CD 5 EF, &* c CD
If AB &* and CD
&* c EF
&*,
then AB 5 EF. &* c EF
then AB &*.
If maA 5 maB and maB 5 maC, If aA c aB and aB c aC,
then maA 5 maC. then aA c aC.

88 Chapter 2 Segments and Angles

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EXAMPLE 1 Name Properties of Equality and Congruence

Name the property that the statement illustrates.
&* c JK
a. If GH &* c GH
&*, then JK &*.
b. DE 5 DE
c. If aP c aQ and aQ c aR, then aP c aR.

Solution
a. Symmetric Property of Congruence
b. Reflexive Property of Equality
c. Transitive Property of Congruence

Name Properties of Equality and Congruence

Name the property that the statement illustrates.

1. If DF 5 FG and FG 5 GH, then DF 5 GH.

2. aP c aP

3. If maS 5 maT, then maT 5 maS.

Logical Reasoning In geometry, you are often asked to explain why

statements are true. Reasons can include definitions, theorems,
postulates, or properties.

EXAMPLE 2 Use Properties of Equality

In the diagram, N is the midpoint of
&**, and P is the midpoint of NQ
MP &**.
M N P P
Show that MN 5 PQ.
Solution
MN 5 NP Definition of midpoint
NP 5 PQ Definition of midpoint
MN 5 PQ Transitive Property of Equality

Use Properties of Equality and Congruence

4. a1 and a2 are vertical angles, and a2 c a3. Show that a1 c a3.

a1 c a2 __?__ Theorem
1 2
a2 c a3 Given 3
a1 c a3 __?__ Property of Congruence

2.6 Properties of Equality and Congruence 89

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Student Help PROPERTIES OF EQUALITY

STUDY TIP
In geometry, you can Addition Property Example
use properties of Adding the same number to each side of an x2357
equality that you equation produces an equivalent equation. x23135713
learned in algebra.

Subtraction Property Example

Subtracting the same number from each side of y 1 5 5 11
an equation produces an equivalent equation. y 1 5 2 5 5 11 2 5

Multiplication Property Example

1
Multiplying each side of an equation by the same }}z 5 6
4
nonzero number produces an equivalent equation. 1
}}z p 4 5 6 p 4
4

Division Property Example

Dividing each side of an equation by the same 8x 5 16
nonzero number produces an equivalent equation. 8x 16
}} 5 }}
8 8

Substitution Property Example

Substituting a number for a variable in an x57
equation produces an equivalent equation. 2x 1 4 5 2(7) 1 4

IStudent Help EXAMPLE 3 Justify the Congruent Supplements Theorem

ICLASSZONE.COM
a1 and a2 are both supplementary
MORE EXAMPLES
to a3. Show that a1 c a2.
More examples at
classzone.com 1 2 3
Solution
ma1 1 ma3 5 1808 Definition of supplementary angles
ma2 1 ma3 5 1808 Definition of supplementary angles
ma1 1 ma3 5 ma2 1 ma3 Substitution Property of Equality
ma1 5 ma2 Subtraction Property of Equality
a1 c a2 Definition of congruent angles

Use Properties of Equality and Congruence

&*. Show that AB 5 2 p AM.

5. In the diagram, M is the midpoint of AB

MB 5 AM Definition of __?__
A M B
AB 5 AM 1 MB __?__ Postulate
AB 5 AM 1 AM __?__ Property of Equality
AB 5 2 p AM Distributive property

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2.6 Exercises
Guided Practice
Vocabulary Check Match the statement with the property it illustrates.
1. maDEF 5 maDEF A. Symmetric Property of Equality

&* c ST
2. If PQ &* c PQ
&*, then ST &*. B. Reflexive Property of Equality

&* c XY
3. XY &* C. Transitive Property of Equality

4. If aJ c aK and aK c aL, D. Reflexive Property of

then aJ c aL. Congruence

5. If PQ 5 QR and QR 5 RS, E. Symmetric Property of

then PQ 5 RS. Congruence
6. If maX 5 maY, then F. Transitive Property of
maY 5 maX. Congruence

Skill Check Name the property that the statement illustrates.

7. aABC c aABC

8. If maB 5 maD and maD 5 maF, then maB 5 maF.

&** c JK
9. If GH &* c GH
&*, then JK &**.

Practice and Applications

Extra Practice Completing Statements Use the property to complete the
See p. 676. statement.
10. Reflexive Property of Equality: JK 5 __?__

11. Symmetric Property of Equality: If maP 5 maQ, then __?__ 5 __?__.

12. Transitive Property of Equality: If AB 5 BC and BC 5 CD, then

__?__ 5 __?__.
13. Reflexive Property of Congruence: __?__ c aGHJ

14. Symmetric Property of Congruence: If __?__ c __?__, then

aXYZ c aABC.
&** c IJ
15. Transitive Property of Congruence: If GH ** and __?__ c __?__,
&** c PQ
then GH &*.

Naming Properties Name the property that the statement illustrates.

Homework Help
16. If AB 5 CD, then AB 1 EF 5 CD 1 EF.
Example 1: Exs. 10–18
Example 2: Exs. 19–24 17. If maC 5 908, then 2(maC) 1 158 5 2(908) 1 158.
Example 3: Exs. 19–24
18. If XY 5 YZ, then 3 p XY 5 3 p YZ.

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19. Using Properties In the diagram, ma1 1 ma2 5 1328, and

ma2 5 1058. Complete the argument to show that ma1 5 278.

ma1 1 ma2 5 1328 Given

ma2 5 1058 Given
2 1
ma1 1 1058 5 1328 __?__ Property of Equality
ma1 5 278 __?__ Property of Equality

&* c FG
20. Using Properties of Congruence In the diagram, AB &*, and
^&( bisects AC
BF &* and DG
&**. Complete the argument to show that
&* c DF
BC &*.
A
&* c AB
BC &* Definition of __?__ D
B
&* c FG
AB &* __?__
F
&* c DF
FG &* Definition of __?__ C
&* c DF
BC &* __?__ Property of Congruence G

21. Unscramble the Steps In the diagram below, PQ 5 RS. Copy the
diagram and arrange the statements and reasons in order to make
a logical argument to show that PR 5 QS.

P P R S

+ QR
PR = QS
Given PQ + QR = RS

uality
PQ + QR = PR Addition Property of Eq
Segment Addition Postulate RS + QR = QS

PQ = RS Substitution Proper ty of Equality

Segment Addition Postulate

22. Using Properties of Equality In the W Y

diagram at the right, maWPY 5 maXPZ.
Complete the argument to show that X
maWPX 5 maYPZ.
P Z

maWPY 5 maXPZ Given

maWPX 5 maWPY 1 maYPX __?__

maYPZ 5 maYPX 1 maXPZ __?__

maWPY 1 maYPX 5 maYPX 1 maXPZ __?__

maWPX 5 maYPZ __?__

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Student Help 23. Congruent Complements Theorem Show that the Congruent
Complements Theorem is true. Use Example 3 on page 90
LOOK BACK
as a model. Provide a reason for each step.
To review the Congruent
Complements Theorem, In the diagram, ∠1 is complementary to
see p. 69.
∠2, and ∠3 is complementary to ∠2.
1
Show that ∠1 c ∠3. 2 3

&* c CB
24. Error Analysis In the diagram, SR &* c QR
&* and AC &*. Explain
what is wrong with the student’s argument.

&* c CB
Because SR &* and AC
&* c QR
&*, A Q
& * & *
then CB c AC by the Transitive
Property of Congruence. C B S R

Using Algebra Find the value of the variable using the given
information. Provide a reason for each step.

25. AB 5 BC, BC 5 CD 26. QR 5 RS, ST 5 RS

A 3t 1 1 B C 7 D P 23 R S 5n 2 2 T

27. Challenge Fold two corners of a piece

of paper so their edges match as shown 1
1
at the right.
2 2
What do you notice about the angle
formed by the fold lines?
Show that the angle measure is always
the same. Provide a reason for each step.

Standardized Test 28. Multiple Choice Which statement illustrates the Symmetric
Practice Property of Congruence?

X
A &* c BC
If AD &* c CB
&*, then DA &*.

X
B &** c XY
If WX &* c YZ
&* and XY &** c YZ
&*, then WX &*.

X
C &* c GH
If AB &** c AB
&**, then GH &*.

X
D &* c BA
AB &*

&* c TS
29. Multiple Choice In the figure below, QT &* c TS
&* and RS &*.
What is the value of x?
P R
X F 4 X G 12
7x 1 4 6x 1 8
X
H 16 J 32
X
T S
2.6 Properties of Equality and Congruence 93
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Mixed Review Naming Collinear Points Use the diagram to name a point that is
collinear with the given points. (Lesson 1.3)
B
30. G and E 31. F and B D
F
32. A and D 33. B and D C
E
G A

Sketching Intersections Sketch the figure described. (Lesson 1.4)

34. Three lines that do not intersect but lie in the same plane.

35. Two lines that intersect at one point, and another line that
intersects both of those lines at different points.

Algebra Skills Plotting Points Plot the point in a coordinate plane. Then determine
which quadrant, if any, the point lies in. (Skills Review, p. 664)
36. (5, 2) 37. (0, 27) 38. (1, 24) 39. (28, 23)

40. (26, 7) 41. (10, 2) 42. (21, 1) 43. (9, 24)

Quiz 2
Find the measures of the numbered angles. (Lesson 2.4)
1. 2. 3.
1
548 2 4
3 5 10 7
1408
6
9 8 418

In Exercises 4 and 5, rewrite the statement as an if-then statement.

(Lesson 2.5)
4. A square is a four-sided figure. 5. The value of x 2 is 25 if x 5 5.

6. Use the Law of Syllogism to write the statement that follows from
the pair of true statements. (Lesson 2.5)
If we charter a boat, then we will go deep sea fishing.
If we go deep sea fishing, then we will be gone all day.

&*( bisects aJKN, and KN

7. In the diagram, KM &*( bisects aMKL. Complete
the argument to show that maJKM 5 maNKL. (Lesson 2.6)
maJKM 5 maMKN Definition of __?__
M
maMKN 5 maNKL Definition of __?__ J N

maJKM 5 maNKL __?__ Property of Equality

K L

94 Chapter 2 Segments and Angles